The iconic Sepang Circuit might make an F1 return

One of F1’s most iconic tracks might be making its way back onto the race calendar soon, namely the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

The news comes from the Chief Executive Officer of the circuit himself, Azhan Shafriman. He told journalists that SIC (Sepang International Circuit) officials are in touch with F1 organizers regarding a possible return to the calendar. While no formal proposal has been sent or presented, the fact that it comes from the top member of the track organization increases its probability.

Sepang held the Malaysian GP from 1999-2017. It was penned by the track designing savant Hermann Tilke, who was also responsible for Shanghai, Istanbul, Bahrain, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Circuits.

They stopped racing at Sepang after 2017 due to financial issues. The main problem being F1 organizers felt the Grand Prix wasn’t making enough money, especially after Singapore joined the calendar. It was a shame as it was one of the few venues where F1 fans from the Southeast Asia region could watch a race without traveling too far.

The Malaysian Grand Prix was a fan favorite race due to the unpredictability of the weather. Over there, it was either extreme heat or torrential rain. Not to mention the track has flowing corners and is graced by long straights presenting several overtaking opportunities. That ensured spectators witnessed numerous tight battles and wheel-to-wheel action.

Currently, Sepang hosts other prestigious racing leagues such as Asia Le Mans and Formula 3 Asia. The circuit is also home to the Malaysian iteration of the Vios Cup.

It would be a big deal for Sepang to make its way back onto the F1 calendar, especially since the Vietnamese Grand Prix has been canceled for the foreseeable future. It also presents a more affordable option to the expensive Singaporean Grand Prix in terms of flight costs and accommodations for fans that want to watch a race live.